A checklist for new Plantation residents: start city water with Utilities (954-797-2290), power with FPL, buy blue trash bags, file for homestead by March 1.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the City of Plantation’s service providers page, new utility account page, solid waste page, library card policy and animal page, the Broward County Tax Collector’s locations page, and each provider’s own start-service page, linked below. No prices are listed here; each provider publishes its own.

This page is a checklist for new Plantation residents. It links to our guides instead of repeating them, and adds what they leave out: where to start each utility, how to switch your license and tag, and the deadlines that matter in your first year.

The first five calls

  • Water and sewer: City of Plantation Utilities Customer Service, 954-797-2290
  • Electricity: FPL, start service online or 954-797-5000
  • Emergency alerts: sign up for the city’s Everbridge notifications
  • Your schools: Broward County Public Schools, 754-321-0000; see schools
  • City Hall: 954-797-2200; see who to call

Water and sewer

Plantation runs its own utility. To open an account, the city’s new account page says there is a non-refundable application fee and a deposit based on the size of your meter, plus the documents on its new-account checklist. Call 954-797-2290 first to get your deposit amount and confirm whether your property has water and sewer or water only. In person, the deposit and fee are paid by cash, check or money order; if you apply online, the deposit check must reach the office within two weeks. Any unpaid balance at the address may need to be settled before service starts. Bills come monthly; drop boxes are at City Hall, Central Park, Jim Ward Community Center and Volunteer Park.

Trash and recycling

Most of Plantation uses the blue bag system: garbage goes out in official blue city bags and recycling in clear city bags, both sold at grocery stores. Only Hawks Landing, Melaleuca Isles and Plantation Acres use carts or bins. Pickup days, bulk weeks and the rules are in our trash and recycling guide.

Power, gas and internet

Service Provider Start service
Electricity Florida Power & Light (FPL) FPL start service; 954-797-5000
Natural gas TECO Peoples Gas Peoples Gas residential start service; 1-877-832-6747
Cable and internet Comcast Xfinity Xfinity in Plantation
Cable and internet AT&T AT&T in Plantation

FPL, the Plantation Utilities Department and TECO Peoples Gas are the utilities on the city’s service providers page. Gas does not reach every street; ask Peoples Gas whether your address is served. Comcast and AT&T are the cable and phone companies the city lists for contractor problems. Outages: see power outages.

Driver’s license and car tag

  • Driver’s license: the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles handles license transfers for new residents; see its new Florida residents page.
  • Tag and title: the Broward County Tax Collector has an office in Plantation at 1800 NW 66th Ave., Suite 101; its locations page lists services and hours at every office. Main line: 954-357-4829.

Property taxes and homestead

If you own the home and it is your permanent residence on Jan. 1, you can claim a homestead exemption, which lowers your taxable value and caps future increases in assessed value. File with the Broward County Property Appraiser by March 1; the 2027 deadline is March 1, 2027. A purchase resets the assessed value, so do not budget on the seller’s tax bill. Everything else is in our property taxes guide.

Permits before you renovate

The city says permits can be needed for everything from a pool or roof to a water heater or kitchen cabinets; email HelpMeBuilding@plantation.org or call 954-797-2765. Some single-family jobs qualify for same-day permits. If you are in an HOA, its approval is a separate step. See building permits and zoning.

Pets and wildlife

Pets must be registered with Broward County Animal Care, which issues pet tags and runs the lost and found pet database, the city’s animal page says. Dogs may not run loose and are allowed in only one city park, Happy Tails Dog Park. The same page links state guidance on living with alligators and protected burrowing owls.

Voting, schools, library and more

  • Register to vote at your new address through the Broward Supervisor of Elections; see voting.
  • Enroll your children at your zoned school; see schools.
  • Library card: the city’s Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library issues cards free to Plantation residents with photo ID and proof of address, 954-797-2140. Broward County’s West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., is also in the city.
  • Passports: the City Clerk no longer handles them; the city refers residents to the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
  • Hurricane season: see hurricane prep.

Related: getting around Plantation, home prices and population and growth.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start water service in Plantation?

The City of Plantation runs its own water and sewer utility. Open an account with Utilities Customer Service at 954-797-2290; the city charges an application fee and a deposit based on meter size, and asks you to call first to confirm the amount and whether your property has sewer service.

Who provides electricity in Plantation?

Florida Power & Light (FPL). Start service on FPL’s website or call its local number, 954-797-5000, which the city lists.

How does trash pickup work for new Plantation residents?

Most homes use the city’s blue bag system: buy official blue garbage bags and clear recycling bags at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Walmart and other stores. Waste Management collects; call 954-974-7500 with questions.

When is the homestead exemption deadline in Broward County?

March 1 of the year you are claiming. The deadline for a 2027 homestead exemption is March 1, 2027. File with the Broward County Property Appraiser.

Do I need to register my pet in Plantation?

Yes. The city says pets must be registered with Broward County Animal Care, which issues pet tags.